Success stories

New entrepreneur:
Isabella Mileti (Italy)

Company name: MOH – associazione socio culturale - www.mohbari.eu (Start-up)
Sector of activity: Music, theater, events and related cultural and entertainment services

Host entrepreneur:
Cécile Stola (France)

Company name: Elan Interculturel - www.elaninterculturel.com (12 years of experience)
Sector of activity: Education and training services

Isabella's life story brought her where she is now. She lived in different 16 cities, 5 countries and 2 continents. The new entrepreneur likes to define herself as a passionate and determined person. She studied Art at the University Venice International University. 

As she could not find a proper job after graduation, she started travelling and volunteering (European Volunteering Service). It was during her journey that she thought of connecting her passion for Art with travelling abroad, and sharing it with young people. 

Isabella’s business idea is to create an association that address social issues through Art mediation. Having no idea where to start, she decided to participate in the Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs programme. And, this is how she could connect to host entrepreneur Cécile Stola, France. 

Cécile is a well-accomplished entrepreneur. She has been running her association "Elan Interculturel" for more than 10 years. Cécile provides intercultural trainings to a wide group of teachers, students, artists, business professionals as well as health and social workers. She also manages international cooperation projects. 

Even though the activity sectors do not directly relate, Isabella considered the collaboration alongside Cécile as a great deal that would bring her all the insights on entrepreneurship she needed.

She thus spent five months in France working with Cécile. Together, they set up the goals for Isabella’s business project. It was not only about the financial and administrative aspects, but also the entire structure to put in place which includes management, networking and strategic thinking and decision making (analysing and opting for the best opportunities).

Cécile was very keen to work with new entrepreneur Isabel, as with a different culture and background, she could bring a different perspective and dynamic to an environment that embraces new ideas and new ways of doing business.

Thus, aspiring entrepreneur Isabella took the chance to put into practice her project. During the exchange, she had the opportunity to propose a partnership, fully encouraged and trusted by Cécile. The exchange of knowledge and experience between the two woman was a great success for both of them. An equal "give and take” collaboration where both have learnt from each other. 

Working in such a business helped Isabella develop her problem-solving skills, communication and marketing skills, leadership. last but not least, she the exchange contributed to her self-development as she learnt how to let go of her ego issues. Her initial goal, connecting Art to social issues was thus achieved!

Isabella was lucky to have had Cécile as mentor. She gave Isabella the freedom and trust she needed to accomplish her objectives, letting her in charge of many activities such as the development of assessment mechanisms for the financial reports. 

Elan Interculturel, the host company, have thus greatly benefited from Isabella’s new vision. She brought new initiatives to the comapny, created a new partnership for a project called "Body shining", which focuses on the prevention and treatment of body shaming as well as worked on a project about "gender and women empowerment through Art mediation". 

For more information, please contact the local contact points involved in the exchange:

New entrepreneur's contact point:
CONSORZIO MATERAHUB INDUSTRIE CULTURALI E CREATIVE (Matera Mt, Italy)

Host entrepreneur's contact point:
Chambre de commerce et d'industrie de région Paris Ile-de-France (Paris, France)

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